noun

• The use of computer networks to gain illicit access to confidential information, typically that held by a government or other organization.

  ‘improving cybersecurity across government agencies is crucial given the increase in cyberespionage’

  More example sentences

  • ‘The absolute dependence on the internet has enabled new avenues for cyberespionage into business networks and critical infrastructures.’
  • ‘From our observations, it is one of the most prolific cyberespionage groups in terms of the sheer quantity of information stolen.’
  • ‘Part of the problem is confusion around the differences between traditional cybercrime, cyberespionage and cyberwar.’
  • ‘The sophistication of hackers engaged in cyberespionage means they are likely to breach any organization's security eventually.’
  • ‘In some cases, old cyberespionage technology is now more sophisticated.’
  • ‘Researchers have uncovered an ongoing cyberespionage campaign targeting more than 30 online video game companies over the past four years.’
  • ‘Most state-sponsored malware are designed for activities such as data-gathering, cyberespionage or sabotage, she explained.’
  • ‘State-sponsored cyberespionage incidents tripled over last year, according the 2013 Verizon Data Breach Report.’
  • ‘If passed, the law would require an annual report to list the countries involved in cyberespionage, along with highlighting the worst offenders.’
  • ‘In a larger sense, though, the controversy over cyberespionage suggests somber trends at the top of government.’
  • ‘With both nations heavily involved in cyberespionage, there can be little doubt of the urgency in dealing with this critical issue.’

  Synonyms

  spying, undercover work, cloak-and-dagger activities, surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence, eavesdropping, infiltration, cyberespionage, counter-espionage, counter-intelligence